The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
by John Bishop

It was a great show! Congratulations to everyone involved!

February 17-19, 24-26, and March 3-5, 2006

Tickets: $10 advance reservations or $12 at the door the night of the show.

Directed by Laura Pratt   ~    Produced by Heidi Schenk

The Plot

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940", by John Bishop, is not a musical, but is certainly a mystery and a comedy. The story involves the creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious "Stage Door Slasher"), who assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy "angel."

The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people-all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous "Slasher" makes his reappearance and strikes again-and again.

As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions.

However, and with no thanks to the bumbling police inspector who snowshoes in to investigate, the mystery is solved in the nick of time and the "Slasher" unmasked-but not before the audience has been treated to a sidesplitting good time and a generous serving of the author's biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit.  

Tickets & Reservations

Tickets are $10 for advance reservations or you can buy them the night of the show at the theater for $12.

Advance Reservations are non-refundable can be made by calling 583-1674 or email valleyplayers@madriver.com. Payment is by credit card, or, if there is enough advance time, by check. 

Show times are 8 pm every night except for Sunday March 5 which is a 2 pm matinee only.

The Cast

Andra Kisler as Elsa Von Grossenknueten

Heidi Schenk as Helsa Wenzel, Elsa's maid

Sal Spinosa as Sergeant Michael Kelly

Doug Bergstein as Patrick O'Reilly

Tom Badowski as Ken De La Maize

Holli Nickerson as Nikki Crandall

Josh Krushenick as Eddie McCuen

Cindy Seckler as Marjorie Baverstock

Will Giblin as Roger Hopewell

Vickie Trihy as Bernice Roth

The Crew (so far)

Producer: Heidi Schenk

Director: Laura Pratt

Set Design: Gary Eckhart

Stage Manager: Joanne Puente

Costumes: Diane Motte

Publicity: Ruth Ann Pattee

Light & Sound Operators: Sharon Kellermann, Kitty Werner

Make up: Jennifer Harrison

Volunteers Wanted!

Contact Producer Heidi Schenk at 496-6964 or email to help out with the show... Set building, Props, Costumes, Usher....